Sterjovski, a former Lake Heights junior, passed up the chance to play in Australia's four pivotal World Cup qualifiers this month to be with his wife Sharon before and after the birth of the couple's second child, Sonny.

Sonny was born at Blacktown on June 2, just hours after the Socceroos' 1-0 win over Iraq in Brisbane.

Mile, Sharon, their eldest son Luka, 3, and Sonny are enjoying some rest and relaxation while staying with Sterjovski's parents at their Flinders home.

However, the Sterjovski clan will leave for England next Wednesday before Sterjovski reports to training with English club side Derby County next Friday.

Sterjovski said he had no second thoughts about leaving the Socceroos camp after starring in a 1-0 friendly win over Ghana in late May.

"I said I'd play the Ghana game and if the baby arrived two or three days after that, I'd be available for Brisbane," he said.

"(Socceroos coach) Pim Verbeek understood the situation and as it worked out, Sonny was born eight hours after the Brisbane game.

"I was only thinking of my family, Pim put me at ease, he understood family comes first."

Sterjovski said he didn't want to make the same mistake he did when Luka was born.

"I basically took my wife out of the hospital with Luka and jumped on a plane the same day to join the Socceroos," he said.

"We had two games against the Solomon Islands and I was used for 15 minutes in both games after I was told I was really needed."

The new addition to the Sterjovski family contributed to a Socceroos baby boom - the partners of Lucas Neill, Josh Kennedy and Jacob Burns all had babies during the campaign.

Neill's son was born on the same day as Sonny; six hours later and half a world away, in London.

"It has worked out perfectly, us being in Australia in the off-season for Sonny's birth," Sterjovski said.

Sterjovski hopes to be at ANZ Stadium on Sunday for the China match - provided family commitments allow it.

The 29-year-old said it would hurt a bit to not be playing in the Sydney match.

"Playing in Sydney has been really special, because I get a lot of family and friends up to watch," he said.

"Missing that sort of game, it does hit a spot, but I'm still young and there's going to be plenty more games."